Market
Fresh strawberries in Lebanon are supplied by a mix of domestic cultivation and imports, with imports dominating recent recorded trade flows. UN Comtrade data via WITS show Lebanon imported far more fresh strawberries than it exported in 2024, with the Syrian Arab Republic as the main import origin. Strawberry cultivation is documented in the Bekaa (e.g., Anjar), but exports appear small and episodic. Given the product’s high perishability, cold-chain reliability and border/transport disruptions are central determinants of losses and availability in Lebanon.
Market RoleNet importer with limited domestic production
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption fruit with seasonal local supply supplemented by imports
Risks
Geopolitical HighConflict-related disruption and environmental damage affecting agricultural areas and infrastructure can severely disrupt production, inland transport, and cold-chain continuity for highly perishable strawberries in Lebanon, increasing the likelihood of supply interruption and quality loss.Use diversified sourcing (domestic + multiple import origins), continuous route/security monitoring, contingency inventory planning, and insurance/force-majeure clauses tailored to perishable cargo.
Food Safety MediumPesticide-residue compliance is a salient risk for strawberries: Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy & Trade consumer-protection guidance explicitly flags strawberries (الفريز) among plant products with higher exposure risk, which can translate into buyer scrutiny, testing failures, or rejection where MRLs are exceeded.Implement supplier pesticide-management controls (approved actives, pre-harvest intervals), and run routine residue testing aligned to destination-market MRL frameworks.
Labor And Social Compliance MediumAgricultural labor in the Bekaa Valley carries elevated child-labour risk among Syrian refugee communities based on UNICEF-reported survey findings; this can trigger buyer exclusion and reputational risk if not actively managed.Adopt and audit a no-child-labour policy, require labor documentation from farms/labor contractors, and establish remediation/referral pathways in line with UNICEF/ILO guidance.
Cold Chain MediumElectricity outages in Lebanon are documented to increase food-safety risk due to temperature fluctuations; for strawberries this materially increases spoilage and food-safety exposure across storage, retail, and distribution.Use temperature loggers, backup power/generators for cold rooms, validated reefer handling SOPs, and rapid turnover/FEFO inventory discipline.
Sustainability- Agricultural land and infrastructure disruption risk from ongoing security tensions and documented conflict-related environmental damage, which can affect farming operations and continuity of supply for perishable crops.
- In Anjar (Bekaa), agricultural fields are described as near river/wetland areas and vulnerable to floods; the area is also noted as susceptible to forest fire—relevant to production continuity and on-farm risk management.
Labor & Social- Heightened labor and human-rights due diligence risk in agricultural supply chains in the Bekaa Valley due to documented child labour among Syrian refugees working in agriculture; buyers may require evidence of prevention, monitoring, and remediation.
FAQ
Is Lebanon a net importer or net exporter of fresh strawberries?Lebanon is a net importer in recent recorded trade flows. UN Comtrade data via WITS for 2024 show imports of fresh strawberries (HS 081010) that are far larger than exports.
Where do Lebanon’s imported fresh strawberries mainly come from?In 2024, the Syrian Arab Republic was the dominant recorded origin for Lebanon’s imports of fresh strawberries (HS 081010), based on UN Comtrade data via WITS.
What documents are commonly needed to export fresh strawberries from Lebanon?LEBTRADE lists core shipping and export documents (e.g., commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/air waybill) and notes that importing countries often request a phytosanitary certificate for plant products and may request a health certificate for plant-based food products; these certificates are issued in Lebanon by the Ministry of Agriculture, with LARI laboratory testing referenced for phytosanitary certification.
What is a key food-safety compliance risk for strawberries in Lebanon?Pesticide residues are a key concern: Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy & Trade consumer-protection guidance explicitly flags strawberries (الفريز) among plant products with higher exposure risk, reinforcing the need for residue-control practices and testing to meet applicable maximum residue limits.